UN chief António Guterres calls for end to attacks on shipping, warns maritime disruptions threaten global food supply

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, Red Sea and around Bab al-Mandab, warning that disruptions at key maritime chokepoints are driving up prices, worsening hunger and putting the global food system under severe pressure. Speaking with newspersons here on Monday, Guterres said conflicts in different regions were increasingly converging in their impact on the world's most vulnerable populations, with disruptions to maritime traffic restricting the movement of energy, fertilizers, grain and other essential commodities....more

Rodrigues Birkett Leads Second UN Straw Poll as Secretary-General Race Tightens

UNITED NATIONS: Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett has emerged as the leading candidate in the second informal UN Security Council straw poll for the next Secretary-General, edging ahead of Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan as the race begins to take a more competitive shape. Rodrigues Birkett received 8 “encourage” votes, 3 “discourage” votes and 4 “no opinion” votes from the 15 members of the Security Council....more

Grynspan Leads First UN Security Council Straw Poll for Next Secretary-General

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS: Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the early frontrunner in the race to become the next UN Secretary-General, securing the strongest showing in the first informal Security Council straw poll held behind closed doors on Thursday. Grynspan received 10 “encourage” votes, one “discourage” and four “no opinion” votes, putting her ahead of Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, who secured nine “encourage”, two “discourage” and four “no opinion” votes....more